The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 551

Chapter 551: Chapter 551 Bagged The Role
Since both Hera and Alice performed the same scene, it became easy for everyone to compare their performances.

The contrast between them was immediately apparent.

It wasn’t just in how they conveyed the character’s emotions, but also in how they brought depth to the role—how each actress built and embodied the character’s background.

This made it clear to everyone which performance was more compelling and authentic, as Hera’s portrayal felt more nuanced and true to the character.

Everyone began to examine Hera’s profile and soon discovered that she had received the invitation at the very last minute.

Just hours ago, she had barely known the character, yet here she was, already embodying it with such depth and understanding.

The revelation left everyone stunned, staring at her in silence as if they had witnessed something extraordinary, almost like seeing a monster grow an additional head.

But instead of feeling uncomfortable under their gaze, Xavier’s pride swelled.

He couldn’t help but smile as he gently patted Hera’s head, his expression filled with admiration and affection.

“Director Nick, if I didn’t know you better, I might have thought you invited Hera to this audition at the last minute just to set her up for failure. After all, she barely had any time to prepare or develop a character background to truly grasp the role she’s auditioning for.”

After hearing Xavier’s words, Director Nick felt a twinge of embarrassment.

In hindsight, his actions showed a lack of consideration for Hera’s circumstances.

As someone he personally invited because she had the essence and physicality of the heroine he envisioned, he should have ensured she had adequate time to prepare.

Instead, his excitement led him to thrust her into an audition on such short notice, essentially setting her up for failure.

If Hera hadn’t been as remarkable as she was—calm, collected, and resourceful—she might have buckled under the pressure.

A less capable newcomer could have easily been overwhelmed, unsure of where to begin.

Realizing this, Nick scratched the back of his head awkwardly, silently grateful for Hera’s poise and talent that saved him from losing out on what could be the perfect actress for his film.

He made a mental note to handle such situations with more thoughtfulness in the future.

“I came here to check on her because I was concerned, but deep down, I believed she could pull it off. And now, it seems I was right. What do you think?” Xavier said, his tone calm yet confident.

His words caught everyone off guard, as they weren’t accustomed to him speaking so much.

Known for his aloof and lazy demeanor both on and off the screen, this rare moment of candor made them pause.

It slowly dawned on the crew that Xavier’s earlier suggestion to proceed with the audition after Alice’s performance wasn’t merely professional courtesy—it was a deliberate move to ensure Hera got her chance to perform in front of them.

Gratitude rippled through the room as they exchanged glances.

If not for Xavier’s quiet insistence, they might have missed this extraordinary talent—a hidden gem that had now dazzled them all.

They didn’t suspect Xavier of coaching Hera about the role beforehand.

After all, the production team had strict protocols in place to manage the script’s distribution, ensuring it was accessible only to audition participants.

Even someone like Xavier wouldn’t have been exempt from repercussions if he had shared the script without approval.

However, they couldn’t help but wonder if Hera’s exceptional performance was influenced by Xavier’s presence and support.

As if reading their thoughts, Xavier added, “I haven’t had the chance to teach Hera any acting techniques myself, but I heard her manager, Betty Dwane, brought in the best acting instructor in the industry to train her. She’s only had a week of lessons.”

“A week?! Only a week?!” the director exclaimed, his voice filled with astonishment.

Most actors in the industry invest months, if not years, in rigorous acting classes before making a mark.

Companies often ensure their rookies are trained extensively, yet Hera managed to achieve this level of performance with just a week of preparation.

What’s more, the instructor who trained her wasn’t just anyone—it was the “Witch of the Stage,” known for her impossibly high standards, choosy nature, and perfectionism.

She was notorious for turning away promising students, refusing to teach anyone she deemed unworthy of her time.

For Hera to not only secure the witch’s approval but also receive her go-ahead in just one week spoke volumes about her innate talent.

The realization sent a chill down Director Nick’s spine.

He had nearly overlooked this star-in-the-making because of his earlier impulsiveness.

The thought made him break into a cold sweat, but alongside the regret, there was a surge of gratitude toward Xavier for ensuring Hera got her chance to shine.

“Great! Great!” Director Nick exclaimed, his eyes scanning the room with an intense gaze.

“I suppose no one will disagree with me when I say that Miss Hera Ainsley is the perfect choice for the heroine of this movie?”

Though his words were framed as a question, his tone was more like a command, laced with a veiled threat, as if daring anyone to oppose him.

His expression was stern, almost murderous, but the tension in the room was quickly dispelled.

No one was foolish enough to challenge his decision—not when it was so clear that Hera had the talent to not only bring the character to life but to carry the film to success.

They could already envision her winning awards for her performance.

The film festival, the Oscars—they could taste the accolades, and the thought only reinforced their confidence. With Hera in the lead, they knew they were on the brink of something monumental.

“Who would be foolish enough to oppose?”

“Exactly! With our best actor and the rise of a new star in the making, this movie is destined for success. We’re practically guaranteed back-to-back awards once it’s finished. Who in their right mind would disagree?”

“That’s right. It’s an honor to be a part of this movie, knowing that we’re helping to launch a new best actress into the world. We’re all fortunate to witness this talent come to life.”

One by one, the crew chimed in, their words filled with excitement and agreement.

After a moment of shared approval, the Director picked up Hera’s printed profile and stamped it with a confident “approved.”

Without hesitation, he jumped straight into the interview, eager to dive deeper.

Throughout the entire process, Xavier stood by Hera’s side, offering silent support to ease her nerves.

But to his surprise, Hera remained calm and composed, her smile never fading as she answered each question with poise and grace.

“Thank you so much for this opportunity, Director, and to everyone here,” Hera said, giving them another humble and sincere bow.

Her genuine gratitude was unmistakable, and it struck everyone with a sense of warmth—something they hadn’t felt in a long time from other actors they’d worked with.

“Don’t be too polite with us, Hera,” Director Nick said with a hearty laugh, his eyes bright with excitement.

“From now on, we’ll be working together as a team. We’ve got your back, and you don’t need to stand on ceremony with us. For this short time, we’ll be like family—rising and falling together.”